NEW YORK, November 10. /TASS/. The European Union is likely to miss the deadline to supply 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.
The European External Action Service informed member states that the EU will "likely miss the March 2024 target" to provide as many rounds, the report said. Half of the time that was set aside to make good on the pledge has already elapsed, but the bloc transferred just 30% of the rounds to Kiev, Bloomberg reported.
The news service said the supply of ammunition to the former Soviet republic is becoming an increasingly urgent issue as Russia increases its own production. Any shortage of military supplies from Europe risks becoming critical for Ukraine. The transfer of military aid to Kiev is slowing as the US presidential election is getting closer, while some EU nations have taken an ambiguous stance, Bloomberg reported.
Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell earlier said the bloc had transferred 300,000 155mm shells and 2,600 rockets to Kiev since the start of this year to enable Ukraine to continue fighting. He said the EU would increase the production of ammunition for Ukraine. In February, the diplomat pledged that Brussels would send Kiev 1 million rounds. The European Peace Facility earmarked 2 billion euros for the purpose.